Six Medications linked to Leaky Gut
Feb 04, 2020
While diet plays an important role in leaky gut, so do many other factors including chronic stress, hormonal imbalances, heavy metals, environmental toxicity and prescription medication.
Medications may be necessary to a temporary respite. They are good at masking the symptoms into thinking the issue has been resolved. However the situation can only be reversed with a proper life style and dietary change.
1. Antibiotics
Frequent use of Antibiotics leads to antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria.
Antibiotics cause a disruption in the ecology of the gut microbiome leading to dysbiosis. Dysbiosis is an imbalance of good and bad bacteria.
Without the protection of good bacteria, pathogens like Candida can flourish. It can also lead to SIBO. This can damage the linings of the intestines. In some cases antibiotics may become a necessity. In such cases take a potent probiotic supplementation with enough spacing between taking antibiotics and probiotics
2. NSAIDs
Over the counter pain killers or NSAIDs(non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) such as Advil, Aspirin, Aleve and Motrin. Long term usage of NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal ulcers which result in bleeding, perforation and obstruction. A safer alternative to pain killers is Curcumin (bright yellow colored chemical present in Turmeric). Curcumin supports immune system and modulates inflammatory response.
3. Birth control pills
Birth control pills are a great advancement in the history of reproductive health. They were discovered in 1960 and since then many studies have been done on its side effects.
While many studies differ in their focus, tenure and other factors, they all point to the same conclusion that there is a direct link between oral contraceptives and gut.
Oral contraceptives can increase the risk of IBD. A 2016 study in which Dr. Khalili was a lead researcher stated that if you already have Crohn's disease, taking the pill can increase the need for surgery.
4. Corticosteroids
These are the medications that people suffering from chronic illness like Crohn's, colitis, Asthma and so on take. They suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation. While they may be necessary in some cases, we cannot deny the fact that they cause leaky gut.
These medications raise cortisol levels and in high doses they disrupt the gut lining.
5. Anti-acid
Medications like Prilosec and Zantac are used to control heartburn. They work by suppressing stomach acid. Researchers at Mayo clinic found that people who suppress gastric acid with antiacids had higher rates of C-diff infections.
6. Chemotherapy drugs
Chemotherapy drugs can damage both healthy and cancerous cells. Since they breakdown everything it doesn't come as a surprise they also lead to leaky gut. Chemotherapy drugs increase gut permeability
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